162 Small Faux-Cargo ship – Int. 162

The air in the ship is icy. Aeneas sits opposed to a sunken Finn. Aeneas holds his dead friend's limp body. Aeneas looks at Finn now with the face of a Coruscant citizen: his every hope betrayed, his every doubt materialized. Finn keeps his eyes down, contemplating his failures.

Poe quietly uses a medkit on an unconscious soldier. The pilot says nothing. The hum of the engines only highlights the lack of human sound.

AENEAS We couldn't even defend ourselves.

Finn looks up, acknowledging Aeneas.

AENEAS (cont.) HE could defend himself —your friend.

Aeneas points at Poe. Poe looks at Aeneas. Knowing he can say nothing, he continues to heal the downed soldier.

AENEAS (cont.) I brought them here. I got them in this mess. I even brought you.

FINN That was a mistake.

AENEAS ...l should have known.

FINN You should. I am not the hero you want me to be Aeneas. I am not the man to lead the Rebels to victory. I'm just a lucky trooper who got away.

Poe takes a worried glance at Finn. Aeneas sinking into the seat, forehead over his dead friend. Finn feels a fire within himself.

FINN (cont.) This is the planet we were born to. The Imperial Family controls everything. They have the power over our galaxy. Our lives. Our deaths. I even knew they controlled our revolutions, but I did nothing about it —no Aeneas. I could never challenge them...

The ship hits a rough landing. The backdoor opens as Finn stands up first.

FINN (cont.) ...so, it is time I change.

Finn leaves as the two soldiers' curious stares follow him.

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163 Red Republic Camp – Int. 163

Finn walks out of a mangled ship. The members of the Red Republic gather below to see what happened. General Byzancy goes to his balcony. He is concerned at first but seeing Finn alive he waves his hand and greets the man with a smile.

Finn wastes no more time. He only takes a fast glance to check if Byzancy is there and that the rest of the Red Republic can see him. Finn shouts a command at the Red Republic:

FINN I need a droid with a projection recorder. Bring it here!

There is a surprise initially, this being the first time most have heard Finn speak. Then they scramble, finding a black & red R2 unit.

Aeneas helps Poe take the injured soldier out of the ship, keeping perplexed eyes on Finn. Two medical officers are waiting for them on the platform and take the soldier off their tired hands. Poe walks to Finn. Aeneas watches on from the background.

POE Finn, there's nothing we can d—

FINN I delayed too long already, Poe. I think I've watched you enough times to pick up how to do this.

A couple of Red Republic soldiers drop the droid off before Finn. Finn raises his hand, calling attention to the entire camp.

FINN Hear me! My message must be heard to all Coruscant!

The entire camp falls silent. Finn starts the recording off the droid.

FINN I am Finn, Traitor of the Empire, challenger of the Imperial Family. I have arrived in Coruscant to free its people from the grasp that I escaped. Today there has been a shootout in the Imperial Graveyard. Against House Galencia, the makers of the Krannek. For their crimes, I struck them down.

Finn pauses for what feels like effect, but in truth, his pounding heart blocks out his own voice. The camp looks on immersed. Poe no longer knowing who he is looking at. An ignition of hope begins in Aeneas' stare.

FINN (cont.) Now, I will strike the heart of all evil. Herod Zaltan. There will be no Execution Day. That dawn, before the sun touches the tips of the Ren's towers, I will kill Zaltan and free its prisoners.

The crowd makes quieted hushed gasps. Byzancy is thrilled.

FINN (cont.) This message is out to all who desire freedom. At the dawn of Execution Day, look to Ren. Every citizen look to Ren. Every soldier look to Ren. Every rebel look to Ren. When you see the burning of Zaltan's spire, their shields will drop; join us. To the citizens, know the Family cannot find you. To the soldiers, know that the Empire cannot tell when you look to the side of your conditioning unit. To the rebels, know that the only reason your superiors have not invaded Ren already is they would never turn against their masters. Any rebel leader who denies your joining me to freedom shows you he sides with the Imperial Family.

Byzancy face collapses; his body is rigid. They scowl at their leader.

FINN (cont.) Know that change is coming. Know freedom is upon us. But you must choose that. You have the numbers. You have the weapons! And you have me.

Finn ignites his lightsaber with his fist raised in the air. His eyes burning —his deeply denied reserves of hope, now finally ignited. The entire camp is engulfed with him, the whole crowd cheers, their roar shaking the recording. Finn ends it here. He switches off his lightsaber, his hand trembling, sweat on his brow.

Finn gestures to the men who brought the droid up.

FINN Take this and send it to everyone. Flood the world with copies. We only have a week.

POE Finn, that was incredible.

FINN That sounded right... right?

POE Sounded... familiar.

FINN Oh, uh. Ye—yeah.

POE They're into it. That's the important part.

Aeneas walks up between the two men. In the background, a mob forms around General Byzancy.

AENEAS Finn... do you mean this?

FINN Yes. In one week, we will infiltrate Ren, lower its shields, and have every rebel invade the city.

POE ...how?

RED REPUBLIC KILL THE LOYALISTS!

The men turn to see the mob around Byzancy begin tearing him from his balcony. The man has hopelessly resigning himself to punishment. Other bands are amassing around suspected loyalists (such as the two men rejected from the Imperial Graveyard mission) .

FINN Not like that.

Finn walks of the railed side of the platform, his jetpack lifting him softly to the floor in front of the balcony. The crowd gives ample awed space to Finn.

FINN NO! Bring them before me.

Finn flicks his lightsaber on. The murderous crowd drags the men by their clothes, bending them to their knees before Finn. All are silent as Finn speaks.

FINN General Byzancy, you told an Imperial House about our plan. You tried to sabotage it by planting bad actors. You betray every ideal the Red Republic stands for. Why?

The once cheery man keeps his head low. Shadows cast over sunken eyes. His body is still, as though he had already been killed.

GENERAL BYZANCY It's so much. All our soldiers. All the weaponry. Rescued families from the factories. It all costs so much. Donations were critical. The only service we had was for mercenaries to a house. House Hux was willing to give us enough for a decade should we kill Aquila Galencia.

The crowd hears Byzancy. The sorrow of a lifetime conceding to the Imperial Family connects to them. Finn senses the man's dilemma. His faith.

FINN You are a subject to House Hux, then?

GENERAL BYZANCY ...yes.

FINN You are much older than I, General. Do you remember a time without the Empire?

GENERAL BYZANCY It was short, when I was very young.

FINN Do you truly wish for those days to return to Coruscant?

Byzancy looks up with honest eyes at Finn.

GENERAL BYZANCY More than my own life.

Finn turns off his lightsaber.

FINN I sense truth within General Byzancy! He is to remain our ally! There is nothing beyond redemption, General. And this planet still needs you. We will still need you. Do you pledge your help in the coming invasion?

The crowd murmurs excitedly. Byzancy' face surprised.

GENERAL BYZANCY Of course! But… what can I do?

FINN Do not worry, General…

Finn turns to share a familiar look with Poe. Finn shoots his learned smirk, feeling excitement climb within him as he says his favorite words:

FINN (cont.) ...I have a plan.

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164 House Galencia Garage – Int. 164

The cargo ship waits as the mechanical arms reopen the shielded walls. It floats into the garage, landing safely. Imperial Advisor Attorn awaits the craft with a large troop and two Knights of Ren.

Kylo gets out of the ship. Ephrath after him, looking on as her cousin marches to Attorn.

ATTORN Without struggle, then? Is it as House Hux says?

KYLO It is.

ATTORN With your confession, I have the authority to imprison you without trial. You accept this, Kylo Ren?

KYLO As is your right.

ATTORN Kylo… Emperor Zaltan will be extremely displeased. To be arrested now for treason will only give you a week 'til Execution Day. He won't push it the following year or any after. He will provide the promised punishment on the day if you refuse trial.

KYLO I understand this.

Attorn chucks his disappointment aside. He signals to an aide.

ATTORN Arrest the Force user. Put the brace on him.

The aide hurriedly attaches a tight, glowing choker over Kylo's neck.

ATTORN An electric current will seize through should you ever focus too hard. Whether for using the Force or reflective sentiment. It will never kill you, but you will wish it did.

Kylo says nothing. The aide puts handcuffs and leg chains on the prisoner. They and the prisoner wordlessly march out of the garage.

Ephrath is taken aside by two soldiers and an officer for questioning. She keeps her eyes away from the cargo ship.

The garage closes. The lights turn off, and only a few mechanics remain. Under this cover, Rey exits the cargo ship.

Rey crouch walks to the ship that can hide her. The one Kylo told her about this morning: the Millennium Falcon-type ship. Rey waves her hand, and The Eagle Mark II opens. She rushes in unseen, the door closing behind her.

The exterior has changed, the droids gone, but inside makes it clear: this was where she had her life with Finn and Poe. Sentiment, concern, worry, and deep unease flow through her. It had only been a few months. But now, Rey feels like a snake slipping into her shed skin.

She opens the smuggler compartment, closes it behind her, and meditates with the same pose as Finn did. Waiting for her moment to strike.

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165 Various Interior Shots of Coruscant 165

Clips of Finn's message flood all of Coruscant.

In the den of another rebel camp, all closely packed together to hear the message.

In the home a returned soldier for the Ides of Juzar. On their holotable, the regular propaganda has been interrupted by Finn's message. His wife's eyes turn to him in scared hope, his own weighing Finn's words.

Within a troop of stormtroopers.

In the corner of bars, in dirty alleyways, in Imperial Mansions.

Finn's message has spread. The planet rolls steadily toward the hanging cliff of Execution Day.

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